So... I'm eyeing something special. Only problem is I'll have to sell off a number of my lesser used instruments to get it, as it's not cheap and I'm not wealthy (yet). While I only use these other guitars occasionally, they are all really great guitars and give me some extra colours for recording (none of them get gigged). If I didn't use them at all, there would be no hesitation - I'd sell 'em all in a shot.
Specifically, I'm looking at a
Godin Multiac Nylon SA, and I'm considering selling my Handmade Yamaha GD-20 concert classical, my Cort Earth 900 parlour-sized steel string and my own "Stratele" (basically a Strat with a Tele bridge and bridge pickup).
The Godin is a plug in nylon string (arguably the best semi-solid electric nylon) which also has a 13-pin output. Not only will it give me a road-ready nylon that I can gig without fear, but it will also allow me to get nylon sounds layered with guitar synth and modelled guitar sounds (which I've decided I will be doing a lot more of this year). While I do have a 13-pin guitar already (my Sanox), it's a humbucker electric with piezos, which is a different animal.
The Yamaha GD-20 concert classical is not your average Yamaha. It's one of the very rare handmade range (only two models and only available from 1990 - 1994). I waited for two decades to find one of these (or a Takamine Hirade H8), as I couldn't afford one when they were available and those as has 'em ain't selling... A truly wonderful guitar with a bold, loud voice and lots of projection. As with most Yamaha nylons, it's got a strong fundamental and a well-balanced tone, but unlike most of the other models it has depth and detail too. It's in absolutely pristine condition too, with only one tiny ding on the face.
The Cort was hand selected by me from the entire stock of Earth 900s that the importer had. I needed a steel for a gig (Flat Stanley had a big gig and their guitarist at the time had just been deported or something, so they needed someone that night). I'm not a steel player so I went for a parlour size. I played everything available and narrowed it down to the Corts then played every example and chose this one (fitted a Fishman Matrix Natural and gigged it that night - the only time it's been gigged). It's a cedar top and has just reached the point where the tone is really opening up. Ultimately I'm still not a steel string player at all, so it will not really be a big loss to me.
The Stratele came about as I wanted access to Tele bridge and middle tones, but am not comfortable playing a Tele so I built this one. Pretty unique as it's a Strat in most ways aside from the bridge and bridge pickup (also a special wiring on the 5-way that gives me bridge + neck in the middle like a Tele). Wonderfully resonant and lightweight (3lbs, 6 Oz.) one piece ash body (which are getting harder to find and more expensive). Neck's a birdseye maple boat neck, which while nice, doesn't quite live up to the body). To be honest, I could always build another if needed, so it isn't a major sticking point.
I'll definitely get more use out of the Godin than the three other guitars together, but while I'll gain a guitar I will be able to gig and expand my live performance, I'll lose a little studio flexibility. I am gigging far more than recording these days too, but that doesn't mean I will be in the future. As mentioned the other two are not a trainwreck, but if I sell the Yamaha, It's unlikely I'll find another again (although to be honest, nothing is ever
completely irreplaceable - if I was shopping in the +/- R20K price range I could probably find something comparable).
What to do, what to do?
Forgive the long post, but this is weighing on me.
